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Green Shipping and Operational Strategies of Clean Energy
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Green Shipping and Operational Strategies of Clean Energy

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 17 December 2025 | Viewed by 1726

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zunhua Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: marine engine; low/zero carbon fuels combustion; hybrid power system; green shipping; chemical reaction flow and heat and mass transfer; catalyst preparation and hydrogen production through reforming; energy storage and conversion and utilization
Prof. Dr. Qian Xiong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Power and Energy Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
Interests: mechanism of combustion and pollutant generation in zero carbon/low carbon fuel ship power system; development of phenomenological high pressure gas jet and combustion model; optical diagnosis of fuel spray; combustion and pollutant generation process of marine engine
Dr. Dongsheng Dong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: combustion; hydrogen/ammonia; alernative fuels; chemical reaction kinetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Sustainability is dedicated to advancing the understanding of Green Shipping and Operational Strategies of Clean Energy, bridging the gap between conventional and green energy technologies while exploring future directions and industry insights. Bringing together a collection of cutting-edge research papers, this Special Issue provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in clean energy technologies that are shaping the future of global shipping, energy production and consumption.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the multidisciplinary aspects of contemporary energy research, focusing on green shipping, the integration of marine low/zero carbon power solutions, energy storage and new power system. It explores the development of clean and renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and bioenergy, as well as systems utilizing renewable fuels like methanol, ammonia and hydrogen. The issue features comprehensive literature reviews and research studies that evaluate the progress, challenges, and opportunities within new power systems, emphasizing their potential and limitations in fostering a more sustainable energy landscape. Technological advancements are a central theme, with contributions addressing emerging trends in energy storage technology, energy management strategies, and smart grids. Additionally, the role of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data-driven technologies in enhancing energy efficiency and minimizing emissions is thoroughly examined.

The Special Issue includes perspectives from industry experts, providing a practical view on the implementation of these innovations in real-world scenarios and the feedback mechanisms that are fostering ongoing enhancements.

In summary, this Special Issue serves as a platform for researchers, engineers and industry stakeholders to share knowledge, examine recent advancements and explore the future shipping and new energy systems, with the ultimate goal of promoting a transition to green, cleaner energy and power system to support the future green development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Prof. Dr. Zunhua Zhang
Prof. Dr. Qian Xiong
Dr. Dongsheng Dong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • green shipping
  • marine low/zero carbon power
  • clean and renewable energy
  • energy storage technology
  • new power system
  • energy management strategy

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 4562 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Shipping: Modeling Economic and Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Decarbonization Policies (Part II)
by Paula Carvalho Pereda, Andrea Lucchesi, Thais Diniz Oliveira, Rayan Wolf, Crístofer Hood Marques, Luiz Felipe Assis and Jean-David Caprace
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 3765; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17093765 - 22 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 462
Abstract
Maritime transport carries over 80% of global trade by volume and remains the most energy-efficient mode for long-distance goods movement. However, the sector contributes approximately 3% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, a share that could rise to 17% by 2050 without effective [...] Read more.
Maritime transport carries over 80% of global trade by volume and remains the most energy-efficient mode for long-distance goods movement. However, the sector contributes approximately 3% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, a share that could rise to 17% by 2050 without effective regulation. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced initial and short-term measures to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions. In 2023, IMO Strategy expanded on these efforts with medium-term measures, including Market-Based Mechanisms (MBMs) such as a GHG levy, a feebate system, and fuel intensity regulations combined with carbon pricing. This study evaluates the economic and environmental impacts of these measures using an integrated computational simulation model that combines Ocean Engineering and Economics. Our results indicate that all proposed measures support the IMO’s intermediate emission reduction targets through 2035, cutting absolute emissions by more than 50%. However, economic impacts vary significantly across regions, with most of Africa, Asia, and South America experiencing the greatest adverse effects on GDP and trade. Among the measures, the GHG levy exerts the strongest pressure on economic activity and food prices, while a revised fuel intensity mechanism imposes lower costs, particularly in the short term. Revenue redistribution mitigates GDP losses but does so unevenly across regions. By leveraging a general equilibrium model (GTAP) to capture indirect effects often overlooked in prior studies, this analysis provides a comprehensive comparison of policy impacts. The findings underscore the need for equitable and pragmatic decarbonization strategies in the maritime sector, contributing to ongoing IMO policy discussions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Shipping and Operational Strategies of Clean Energy)
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55 pages, 29982 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Shipping: Modeling Technological Pathways Toward Net-Zero Emissions in Maritime Transport (Part I)
by Jean-David Caprace, Crístofer Hood Marques, Luiz Felipe Assis, Andrea Lucchesi and Paula Carvalho Pereda
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083733 - 21 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 654
Abstract
Maritime transport accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a figure projected to rise by 17% by 2050 without effective mitigation measures. Achieving zero-emission shipping requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates regulatory frameworks, alternative fuels, and energy-saving technologies. However, existing [...] Read more.
Maritime transport accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a figure projected to rise by 17% by 2050 without effective mitigation measures. Achieving zero-emission shipping requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates regulatory frameworks, alternative fuels, and energy-saving technologies. However, existing studies often fail to provide an integrated analysis of regulatory constraints, economic incentives, and technological feasibility. This study bridges this gap by developing an integrated model tailored for international maritime transport, incorporating regulatory constraints, economic incentives, and technological feasibility into a unified framework. The model is developed using a predictive approach to assess decarbonization pathways for global shipping from 2018 to 2035. A multi-criterion decision analysis (MCDA) framework, coupled with techno-economic modeling, evaluates the cost-effectiveness, technology readiness, and adoption potential of alternative fuels, operational strategies, and market-based measures. The results indicate that technical and operational measures alone can reduce emissions by up to 44%, while market-based measures improve the diversity of sustainable fuel adoption. Biofuels, particularly BISVO and BIFAME, emerge as preferred alternatives due to cost-effectiveness, while green hydrogen, ammonia, and biomethanol remain unviable without additional policy support. A strict carbon levy increases transport costs by 46%, whereas flexible compliance mechanisms limit cost increases to 14–25%. The proposed approach provides a robust decision-support framework for policymakers and industry stakeholders, ensuring transparency in evaluating the trade-offs between emissions reductions and economic feasibility, thereby guiding future regulatory strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Shipping and Operational Strategies of Clean Energy)
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19 pages, 8101 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on the Mechanism of Stoichiometric Combustion Knock in Marine Natural Gas Low-Carbon Engines in Rapid Compression Machine Combustion Chambers
by Qiang Zhang, Xiangrong Li, Zhipeng Li, Yang Xu, Guohao Zhao and Baofeng Yao
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3274; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073274 - 7 Apr 2025
Viewed by 304
Abstract
The vigorous development of marine engines fueled by natural gas can effectively support the reform of energy structures in the field of ship power, aligning with the global trend toward sustainable development and green shipping. However, the presence of knock significantly hinders the [...] Read more.
The vigorous development of marine engines fueled by natural gas can effectively support the reform of energy structures in the field of ship power, aligning with the global trend toward sustainable development and green shipping. However, the presence of knock significantly hinders the improvement of engine thermal efficiency. Therefore, studying the knock mechanism in natural gas engines is not only crucial for enhancing engine power and economy but also for advancing the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources in the maritime industry. In this paper, via a 2D numerical model, the dominant role in the knock mechanism of stoichiometric methane combustion in a combustion chamber of a rapid compression machine (RCM) is revealed. It further establishes the association mechanism between constant-volume combustion and pressure wave suppression at high temperatures. The results show that the knock is caused by the end-gas auto-ignition. The increase in initial temperature can significantly change auto-ignition modes and combustion modes, but initial pressure has little effect on this. The increase in initial temperature will inhibit the strength of pressure waves, and the increase in initial pressure cannot significantly increase the strength of pressure waves. The main cause why auto-ignition occurs earlier is not due to the increase in the strength of pressure waves, but the decrease in the required increase in temperature to attain ignition temperature caused by the increase in initial temperature. The peak pressure is affected by the initial pressure on the left wall before auto-ignition and the increase in pressure on the left wall at low to medium initial temperature. The pressure oscillation amplitude is positively correlated to the increase in pressure on the left wall. Constant volume combustion will occur at a high initial temperature. The increase and decrease in pressure are very uniform which will lead to the decrease in the pressure oscillation amplitude. The peak pressure depends on the influence of initial temperature and pressure on the increase in pressure produced by constant volume combustion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Shipping and Operational Strategies of Clean Energy)
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